Every year on 11/23, we celebrate one of the most famous patterns in mathematics — the Fibonacci sequence.
What is the Fibonacci sequence?
It’s a list of numbers where each number is the sum of the two before it:
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…
This simple rule creates a pattern that grows in a beautifully balanced way.
The Golden Rectangle & Golden Spiral
When squares with Fibonacci side lengths are arranged together, they form a golden rectangle — a shape whose proportions stay the same as it grows.
If you draw a smooth curve through the corners of these squares, you get the golden spiral, a shape that expands outward while keeping the same proportions. This spiral models growth found in many natural forms.
Where do we see it in nature?
The Fibonacci sequence is everywhere!
• Sunflower seeds grow in spirals that match Fibonacci numbers.
• Pinecones have spiral patterns that follow the sequence.
• Nautilus shells show growth close to the golden spiral.
• Hurricanes and galaxies swirl in spiral patterns with similar proportions.
• Even leaf arrangements follow Fibonacci spacing to help plants get more sunlight.
Fibonacci Day Resources
View activity in Google Slides.
Coming Soon: I will be using this Google Folder to share activities and lessons related to the Fibonacci Sequence. You can also access resources by selecting the “Resources” link and clicking on “Math”.
Fibonacci Day reminds us that math is built into the fabric of the world around us. Look around today and see where you can spot these incredible patterns!
